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UPSC CDS Vocabulary & Idioms Questions
Practise vocabulary & idioms (english) for the Combined Defence Services Examination: 10 multiple-choice questions, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. Click an option to check it, or “New questions” for another set.
Vocabulary & Idioms practice
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Q1.Choose the synonym of EPHEMERAL.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A — Short-lived
Ephemeral means lasting a very short time.
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Q2.Choose the word closest in meaning to INNOCUOUS.
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Answer: C — Harmless
Innocuous means not harmful or offensive.
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Q3.Choose the synonym of RESILIENT.
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Answer: C — Tough
Resilient means able to recover quickly from difficulty.
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Q4.Meaning of the idiom “a blessing in disguise”.
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Answer: A — A good thing that seemed bad at first
Something that seems unfortunate but turns out to be beneficial.
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Q5.Meaning of the idiom “once in a blue moon”.
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Answer: B — Very rarely
It means very rarely.
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Q6.Choose the synonym of CANDID.
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Answer: B — Frank
Candid means truthful and straightforward — frank.
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Q7.Choose the antonym of SCARCITY.
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Answer: B — Abundance
Scarcity = shortage; abundance = plenty.
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Q8.Choose the synonym of LUCID.
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Answer: A — Clear
Lucid means expressed clearly; easy to understand.
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Q9.Choose the synonym of UBIQUITOUS.
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Answer: B — Everywhere
Ubiquitous means present or found everywhere.
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Q10.Choose the synonym of MITIGATE.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B — Lessen
Mitigate means make less severe or painful.
How to approach vocabulary & idioms questions
Learn words in synonym/antonym pairs and by roots (bene = good, mal = bad, chron = time). For idioms, think of the figurative meaning, not the literal one.
About UPSC CDS
Combined Defence Services Examination — conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Selects officers for the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy.
Original practice questions written for this site in the style and difficulty of each exam’s syllabus. They are not past papers and the site is not affiliated with any exam body. Exam patterns, marking schemes and syllabi change — always check the latest official notification.
UPSC CDS practice topics
| Topic | Section | Question source |
|---|---|---|
| English Grammar | English | Question bank |
| Vocabulary & Idioms | English | Question bank |
| Indian Polity, History & Geography | General awareness | Question bank |
| Physics | Science | Calculated + question bank |
| Percentages | Quantitative aptitude | Calculated (new numbers every set) |
| Geometry & Mensuration | Mathematics | Calculated (new numbers every set) |